Sorry it took so long update this story but for the longest time I had a bad case of writers block but now I am back and going to finish it. I hope you like the new chapter and sorry in advance for any typos.
Branch stared down at the ground as he walked not even paying any attention to where they where they were going or how long they had been walking. The troll leading the way suddenly and turned to face the sad troll. He nodded and in a flash they had him on the cold hard ground of the cell. "Before we get started we have a little surprise for you," Spruce's right hand troll said with a smirk as he placed his right foot on top of Branch's chest and applying a bit of pressure while the others used their hair to hold his arms in place.
"Did you miss me?" A hooded figure asked standing alone in the corner of the room before walking into view and pulling the hood down. "I bet you I know what you are thinking?" Spruce asked with a wide grin and shrugging his shoulders "Just how in the heck am I still alive?" The green troll kneeled beside Branch "This is just like 'old times' huh? Only this time I have this," he said pulling out a sharp purple stone and touching it to the side of helpless troll's face where Lady Abilene had reopened his scar. The moment it touched his skin it felt like it was on fire, the pain was so intense Branch closed his eyes wishing it would make the pain stop.
"What's wrong?" Spruce asked pressing the stone even harder against Branch's face "Does is hurt?" Spruce then stood up carefully used the stone to make two more small cuts and then took a couple steps back allowing the others to do whatever they wanted. Spruce couldn't help but to smile as the group aggressively attacked the outnumbered troll. "So, there I was getting stared down by a hungry growl beast when I remembered they would never hurt me because I helped raise them," Spruce explained with a small laugh when he saw Branch receive a very painful looking kick to the stomach.
Meanwhile upstairs in her room Poppy paced back and forth "Why did you do that?" Roselyn asked from across the room "That was a very mean thing to do."
"I convinced my stepmother to let you stay with me," Poppy said turning her attention to the younger troll "the least you could do is be quiet for a moment."
"But you and my big brother love each other!" Roselyn blurted out.
"I DON'T LOVE HIM!" Poppy snapped before storming out of her room and heading down to where he was, she had more unkind words to say to him and she was really going let them pour out. She opened the door that led down to where he was being held and marched down the steps until she heard the sound of laughter. A part of her just wanted to turn back and leave but something inside her made her keep going. As the cell came into view she could see a very beaten Branch who was probably only able to stand because one of the bullies was holding him up. He looked so weak and helpless but why should she care what happens to him? When he was nothing more but a good for nothing 'imperfection' that deserved everything that was happening to him.
She moved closer to the cell and that's when she saw Spruce standing there with his arms folded across his chest. "He's alive?" she asked herself. The green troll must've sensed someone was watching him because he turned back and looked right at him. Before she could stop herself, she darted right into his arms and pressed her lips against his.
"GROSS!" her head screamed but she ignored it as she continued to kiss him.
"I see someone has missed me," Spruce said proudly after their shared kiss.
"I thought you were dead," she said wrapping her arms around him tighter and glancing over knowing Branch was watching as she did.
She could see all the pain and sadness on his face from watching someone that he loved prove to him that she never loved him. "STOP STARING AT US!" she snapped stomping over to Branch and pulling her hand back ready to strike.
"Poppy wait," Spruce said calmly as he casually walked over holding out his hand "instead of hurting your own hand on this 'lower than dirt troll' use this."
Poppy looked down at his hand and the purple stone "What is that for?" she asked.
"For this," Spruce replied quickly placing the stone against Branch's face again. The same fiery pain erupted on the side of his face. Poppy could see from the way that Branch flinched that it must have been causing him pain, she wished she had control over her body because if she did she would Spruce from hurting him.
"Want to try?" Spruce asked holding the stone out for her to take.
"SPRUCE!" Lady Abilene hissed glaring at her nephew as she stormed into view "WHAT DO YOU THIINK YOU ARE DOING?"
"I was just about to let Poppy use the stone on him," the green troll explained.
With a swift swipe Abilene grabbed the stone away from him "GIVE ME THAT!" she snapped "Go hook him up outside."
Poppy watched as they forced Branch to walk up the stairs leading him outside "Why what's outside?" she asked.
Abilene turned to her stepdaughter and smile "Let's just say that those tiny cuts on his face are about to cause him pain like he's never felt before."
"Really?" Poppy asked wondering what she meant by her comment "How?"
"The moment he gets his face wet he's going to be in so much pain," Abilene explained as her smile widened "and tonight's forecast is rain lots of rain."
Outside Spruce and his gang quickly tied Branch's hands to a post in the middle of the palace courtyard "Try not to get that ugly face of yours wet," Spruce laughed as he turned to his right hand troll and said "make sure he doesn't try to use his hair to escape or block the rain."
The taller troll gave him a thumbs up and nodded "You can count on me," he said.
"Good," the green troll replied with a sinister smile "time to go spend time with my love."
"You better not do anything to hurt her," Branch mumbled
"I'm sorry," Spruce said turning back towards the grey troll and slowly walking over to him "did you say something?"
"I said you better not hurt her," Branch replied bravely knowing that his words were most likely making Spruce angry.
"No one gave you permission to speak!" Spruce hissed as he pulled out a piece of fabric and using it to cover and tie around the grey troll's mouth so he couldn't speak anymore. "You are just a pathetic excuse of a troll that no one cares if you live or die."
Back up in her room Poppy was sitting on the edge of her bed just staring down at the ground feeling a discomfort deep in her stomach, she closed her eyes as their sweet memories came flooding back to her. Why was acting this way with Branch when she knew she loved him, but it was like something dark had shown up and it was slowly taking over her. Then there was Roselyn who sitting across the room glaring at her and refusing to even speak to her. "I'm sorry if you are mad," she said to the young girl getting up and walking over to the window "but this how it's supposed to be."
From her window she could see Branch and the couple if trolls watching over him making sure he wasn't going to try and escape. She could also see the sky darkening up full of rain and the temperature outside cooling down drastically. She watched as they one of them picked up a stick and poked hard into his already bruised up side. Their laughter filled her ears and she couldn't help but to feel a sadness come over her. Before she could stop herself she found herself marching down there to stop them but by the time she reached the courtyard the skies had opened up and was raining heavily. From her spot she could see Branch with his eyes squeezed shut from being in so much pain.
The moment the cuts on the side of Branch's face got even the tiniest bit wet in felt like a thousand little knives piercing him but the big downfall of rain was making it fell a hundred times worst. He tried to keep his eyes squeezed shut to stop the pain, but it was no use. Poppy could see his body start trembling and her head was kept screaming at her to stop what was happening but yet her feet didn't move. The troll that were watching him thought it was so hilarious to see him in such pain. The rain went on for hours and by the time it ended Branch was so weak that he just collapsed in the mud breathing heavily and shivering nonstop.
